Terpenoid-type quinones for treatment of diabetes

Abstract

Novel terpenoid-type quinones which can be obtained from Pycnanthus spp., processes for obtaining the novel terpenoid-type quinones and methods for their use as hypoglycemic agents, for example, in the treatment of diabetes are described. In a preferred embodiment, the novel terpenoid-type quinones are obtained from the leaves and stems of Pycnanthus angolensis. As agents for the treatment of diabetes, the novel terpenoid quinones are useful for treating insulin-dependent (type I) and/or non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A compound having the structure of compound 3: ##STR13## or the structure of compound 4: ##STR14## or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 
     
     
       2. A compound having the following structure: ##STR15## or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 
     
     
       3. A compound having the following structure: ##STR16## or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 
     
     
       4. The compound of claim 2, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. 
     
     
       5. The compound of claim 3, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. 
     
     
       6. A method for reducing the blood glucose of a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal a hypoglycemically effective amount of a composition comprising the compound of claim 2. 
     
     
       7. A method for reducing the blood glucose of a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal a hypoglycemically effective amount of a composition comprising the compound of claim 3. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 6, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 7, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. 
     
     
       10. A method for treatment of diabetes mellitus, comprising administering, to a mammal suffering from diabetes mellitus, a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising the compound of claim 2. 
     
     
       11. A method for treatment of diabetes mellitus, comprising administering, to a mammal suffering from diabetes mellitus, a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising the compound of claim 3. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 10, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 11, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 10, wherein the composition is administered in conjunction with another hypoglycemic agent selected from the group consisting of a sulfonylurea, a biguanide, a thiazolidinedione, a β 3  -adrenoceptor agonist, an α-glycosidase inhibitor and insulin. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 11, wherein the composition is administered in conjunction with another hypoglycemic agent selected from the group consisting of a sulfonylurea, a biguanide, a thiazolidinedione, a β 3  -adrenoceptor agonist, an α-glycosidase inhibitor and insulin. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 14, wherein the sulfonylurea is selected from the group consisting of acetohexamide, chlorpropamide, tolazamide, tolbutamide, glyburide, glypizide and glycazide. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim 15, wherein the sulfonylurea is selected from the group consisting of acetohexamide, chlorpropamide, tolazamide, tolbutamide, glyburide, glypizide and glycazide. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim 14, wherein the biguanide is metformin or buformin. 
     
     
       19. The method of claim 15, wherein the biguanide is metformin or buformin. 
     
     
       20. The method of claim 14, wherein the α-glucosidase inhibitor is acarbose or miglatol. 
     
     
       21. The method of claim 15, wherein the α-glucosidase inhibitor is acarbose or miglatol. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim 14, wherein the thiazolidinedione is troglitazone. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 15, wherein the thiazolidinedione is troglitazone. 
     
     
       24. A pharmaceutical composition for use as a hypoglycemic agent in mammals, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 2. 
     
     
       25. A pharmaceutical composition for use as a hypoglycemic agent in mammals, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 3.